The Girl and the Hidden Trail

by A.J. Rivers

Mark and Jill Pearson were often home alone.
One hot summer day, they were taken.

Penny Pearson lived her life dedicated to her siblings.
Her mother worked late and was hardly home, leaving Penny as the primary caretaker most days.
But every summer, Penny left to work at the nearby camp.
That summer would change her life forever.

FBI agent Emma Griffin has had to solve many grim cases.
When she is called to investigate the skeletal remains of an adult man, forensics soon connected them to a missing-person case from over a decade Mark Pearson.

Could Jill Pearson still be alive?
As Emma dives deeper into the case, she uncovers a very dark secret.
One that has kept a small community frozen in time.

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 2, 2026

Reviews

[Elyse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure why people gave this more than 2 stars

Hoping Emma gets put out my misery soon
This started as a great series but all the interesting characters barely mentioned and the rest is authors opinions an a variety of issues.

Not sure I’ll read any of her other series

[Liz Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of the Emma Griffin books (and Dean and Ava) and this one didn't seem to have it's own "story." It kind of felt like a continued line of a previous show, a To Be Continued that ends with another TBC. In this book Emma is chasing down information about the Collins family that she thinks is related to (Jane) Doe. Regardless if they are, the Collins family is problematic. I feel as if Bridget (their daughter) might have been kidnapped or trafficked to them. If Bridget is Doe, that poor woman has been through so much in her short life! Patiently waiting for the next book which is due out this week.

[Teresa Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl and the Hidden Trail(Emma Griffin FBI Mystery Book 39)

OMG!!!!!!!!! This book was amazing. Emma is working really hard to identify "Doe" and this is taking her all over the place. She is almost positive that she knows who Doe is, but now there is questions about Doe's birth and her parents it just gets crazier and crazier. And just as she is getting somewhere, she gets sent to another city and a body of another missing child. I can't wait to read the next.

[Paula B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a series!

This series really gets the reader into the story. So much so that when one book ends, you simply can't wait for the next one. AJ Rivers is the queen of the cliffhanger. And this book has another doozy. Just when it looks like Emma is about to get answers, she gets a whole new set of questions. And we are along for the ride.

[Mary Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

deep deep mysteries abound

Pavement pounding yields more results on Doe’s identity than scientific protocols, while the situation Doe described - being in a room with three others - shortly before she was found, touches upon a missing persons case from years ago including an abducted brother and sister as well as a young girl with a highly visible birthmark.

[Kelly Smelcer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This season of Emma Griffin just keeps getting better and better! While trying to uncover Doe's identity, Emma is pulled into another case with so many twists it'll keep your head spinning. Don't miss this one!

[rubin lichtenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great story by master storyteller

I love the progression this story line is following and I have only one pressing minor question that keeps bothering me. How can Dean, a private investigator who is a felon be allowed to have a license and a firearm?

[Marianne Potter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Providing Background

While it is always good to reconnect with Emma, this felt more like providing background. This was obviously a bridge to connecting many plot lines. It is definitely important to the series, but it's frustrating.

[Barbara Kaake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent story about Emma searching for Does identity and another case with missing people and bones and wondering if Emma will find answers and solve with lots of suspense and drama. Thank you for this awesome story.

[Janice Stansell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge of your seat for the next development

Don’t know why I thought maybe this time wouldn’t be a cliffhanger! Aargh! I was captivated by this investigation and all its twist and turns! Looks like there will be more twists to come!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery characters

Main character, Emma, uncovers more information that leads to further mysterious deaths being discovered, leading to intertwined murders and new mysterious characters being introduced and evolving.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story! Emma and Dean are on point, as usual. Doe's story is getting closer to being solved, and there are so many plot twists! I loved it and can't wait for the next one!

[Danielle Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

cliffhanger

Nothing like a cliffhanger, now I have to wait until April :( I will be counting down until the next installment!!

[Michael Curry · Rating 4 out of 5]

cliffhanger!!

I don’t like cliffhangers and this one leaves you hanging! Emma is hot on the trail and now I have to wait

[Meg · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t understand the thought process of just randomly stopping the story

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

No spoilerd

What?!?!?! Are you kidding me, A. J. Rivers?? You are actually leaving us hanging?? Hope the next book is out really soon. Loved the book as always but....

[Diane Apple · Rating 3 out of 5]

Girl and the hidden trail.

I have read this entire
Series. But it seemed this one moved very slow and I did not like the way it ended.

[Courtney E · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so amazing!

I am loving these books so much. I found this series last year and have gotten all caught up now to wait for the next one!!!

[T.R. Cliborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wow! How the storylines intertwine then come full circle

[Karen]

Good

[Donna Pliszka · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow!!!!

Ok. Wasn’t expecting that ending. Now on to the next to find out what is going on with the Doe ????

[Melissa Hoch · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the Hell

Just when it’s getting really interesting Bam cliffhanger. Ughhhh book 40 here I come. I love Emma but seriously Rivers. lol

[Penny Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

One step forward….15 steps back

Wow! Another cliff hanger on the road to discovering Doe! Not gonna say anymore!!! On to read the next installment!